Every company is confronted with a wealth of legal requirements on a daily basis. Labor law and corporate law issues in particular - not to mention tax law - shape the everyday life of a company. The issues are becoming increasingly complex, and expert advice is essential. Through our lawyers and specialist lawyers, we offer advice in all key areas of entrepreneurial activity and act as an outsourced legal department if required.

Strategic advice and defense
Criminal tax law has become increasingly important in recent years. The purchase of data carriers and the political dispute over the planned but failed tax agreement with Switzerland are no more than visible signs of this. Parallel to the increased efforts of the investigating authorities to track down "tax evaders", legislators and the courts alike have considerably increased the normative pressure on "tax evaders". The days when tax evasion was regarded as a "trivial offense" are over. Tax evasion is increasingly being taken seriously as a criminal offense. In the past, an easy way out of criminal liability was "voluntary disclosure". Legislators, the tax authorities and the criminal justice system have worked hand in hand to significantly tighten the requirements for exemption from punishment through voluntary disclosure.
Prominent cases in the recent past document this impressively. Qualified advice has therefore become increasingly important. In criminal tax law, our activities range from advising on voluntary disclosures to representation in investigations by the tax authorities, main customs offices and commercial prosecutors' offices to defense before German criminal courts. We also defend and support defendants in parallel taxation proceedings (tax audit, tax investigation). We provide assistance in search situations or to defend against the seizure of assets (attachment). We provide companies and their employees with criminal law advice and witness assistance.

The transfer of a company to the next generation is a particularly important part of entrepreneurial management tasks. The transfer of management to another generation is a major risk for the continued existence of the company, particularly in the case of medium-sized companies, due to the close ties between the "boss" and suppliers, customers and the workforce. At the same time, it is also a great opportunity for renewal. We provide legal, tax and business management support for such transfer processes, including the search for suitable company successors or acquirers if these are not available in the entrepreneur's family or in the company itself.

In company acquisitions and sales, we advise the seller or buyer from the outset and comprehensively at all stages of the transaction. Starting with the development of a transaction structure, we also assist our clients in the drafting of letters of intent (LOI) and confidentiality agreements, the due diligence processes and in the final drafting and negotiation of contracts. Due to the special confidentiality requirements, we offer to carry out the due diligence reviews in our offices or in virtual file rooms. The entire conception and execution is always carried out in coordination with the tax advisors from our firm who accompany the transaction. This avoids frictional losses and ensures that our clients receive comprehensive advice and representation.

The legal relationship between employers and employees and their representative bodies is becoming increasingly complex. It is therefore becoming increasingly important to draw up a clear legal basis in the form of employment contracts and works agreements. However, disputes cannot be avoided in cases of conflict. Here we offer consistent representation of your rights, whether as an employer or employee. Crisis situations and the resulting need for employees to make restructuring contributions (job cuts, salary reductions, etc.) pose particular challenges. We have a great deal of experience in this area, which we are happy to put at your disposal.

Legal issues relating to real estate do not only arise when buying a property, where our notary's office will provide you with competent support, or during construction. Subsequent use or conversion, whether for your own use or letting, is also not always free of conflict. We can also advise you on the contractual structure in consultation with our tax experts when transferring a property from private assets to business assets or vice versa, or in the case of corporate restructuring.

The careful examination of basic civil law issues is the basis of commercial law issues. Thorough work in this sometimes underestimated core area is therefore a high priority for us. It is not uncommon for general civil law considerations to be decisive in the assessment of complex issues. This applies equally to the purchase of consumer goods, real estate or companies. We offer you assistance in making decisions before concluding a contract, taking into account the legal and economic aspects. If a legal dispute cannot be avoided, we will of course also assist you in court.

Unfortunately, disputes can also arise between heirs, e.g. if the testator's will is not sufficiently clear or if legal heirs (e.g. children) are excluded from succession by last will and testament. We represent you both in the enforcement of your claims (compulsory portion claims) and in the defense against unjustified claims.

Asset transfers in the private sphere can be organized without any problems. Early transfers of assets (gifts) and/or accompanying testamentary dispositions (wills, inheritance contracts) can avoid inheritance disputes as well as unnecessary tax burdens in the event of inheritance. Drawing up a well-considered will is therefore a must not only for entrepreneurs, but for everyone. Thanks to the legal and tax law focus of our law firm, we can design tailor-made asset transfers for you and provide you with comprehensive advice on asset succession planning.